Ancient history

Did a Russian Womens Army liberate POWs in World War 2?

Yes, the Soviet Union had an all-female air force unit, the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, also known as the "Night Witches," that flew bombing raids on German forces during World War II. The regiment was formed in 1941 and initially flew Polikarpov Po-2 biplanes, which were adapted for night bombing missions. The women of the regiment were primarily young female volunteers, and they flew over 23,000 bombing missions during the war, dropping over 3,000 tons of bombs on German targets. The regiment earned a reputation for bravery and effectiveness, and many of its members were decorated for their service.

In addition to the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, the Soviet Union also had other female military units, including the 1st and 2nd Rifle Regiments, which were formed in 1942 and 1943, respectively. These units fought on the front lines and participated in a number of major battles, including the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of Berlin. They were demobilized in 1945.